Stereo Photo Series for Quantifying Natural Fuels

Volume X: Sagebrush With Grass and Ponderosa Pine-Juniper Types 

in Central Montana 

Roger D. Ottmar, Robert E. Vihnanek, and Clinton S. Wright 

 

United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service 

Pacific Northwest 

Research Station 

General Technical 

Report

PNW-GTR-719

April 2007 
ABSTRACT

Ottmar, Roger D.; Vihnanek, Robert E.; Wright, Clinton S. 2007. Stereo photo series for quantifying natural fuels. Volume X: sagebrush 

with grass and ponderosa pine-juniper types in central Montana. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-719. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 59 p. 

Two series of single and stereo photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings in sagebrush with grass and ponderosa pinejuniper types in central Montana. Each group of photos includes inventory information summarizing vegetation composition, structure, and 

loading; woody material loading and density by size class; forest floor depth and loading; and various site characteristics. The natural fuels photo 

series is designed to help land managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in natural settings. 

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, Missouri Breaks, mixed-conifer, ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, creeping 

juniper, Juniperus horizontalis, Rocky Mountain juniper, Juniperus scopulorum, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, mountain big sagebrush, 

Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Wyoming big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis.

COOPERATORS

This publication was developed by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Fire and Environmental Research Applications

team in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, Central Montana Zone Fire Management, with funding provided, in part, by the Joint 

Fire Science Program. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special recognition is due Vinita Shea, Jennifer Walker, Karly Krausz, Gary Kirpach (Zone FMO), and Mitch Maycox, Bureau of Land

Management, Lewistown Field Office; Brad Gillespie, Bureau of Land Management, Dillon Field Office; John Thompson, Bureau of Land

Management, Butte Field Office; and Shannon Downey, Montana Department of Environmental Quality. David Wright, Nicole Troyer, Geoffrey

Seymour, Brian Maier, Ann McCauley, Frank Archuleta, Steve Duex, Jennifer Prince, Jennifer Byington, Erin Kenney, and Christine Pachecco, 

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory worked on this project in the field and in 

the laboratory. 

AUTHORS

Roger D. Ottmar and Clinton S. Wright are research foresters, and Robert E. Vihnanek is a supervisory forester, Pacific Wildland Fire 

Sciences Laboratory, 400 North 34th Street, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98103. 
CONTENTS

2 What Is the Natural Fuels Photo Series? 

3 Why Is the Photo Series Needed? 

3 How Was the Photo Series Developed? 

3 Photographs 

3 Photograph and Information Arrangement 

4 Site and Stand Information 

4 Understory Vegetation 

4 Forest Floor Information 

5 Selected Shrub and Tree Species 

5 Woody Material 

5 Saplings and Trees 

6 Juniper Biomass 

6 Using the Photo Series 

7 Metric Conversions 

8 Species List 

9 Literature Cited 

10 Sagebrush With Grass Photo Series 

34 Ponderosa Pine-Juniper Photo Series 
2

WHAT IS THE NATURAL FUELS PHOTO SERIES?

The first phase of the natural fuels photo series was a collection of six volumes, each representing a region of the United States. Additional phases 

of the natural fuels photo series included new volumes (Volumes VII, VIII, IX, and Hawaii) and supplemental volumes (Volumes IIa, Va, and 

VIa). Volume I included sites in mixed-conifer, western juniper, sagebrush, and grassland ecosystems in the interior Pacific Northwest. Volume 

II included sites in black and white spruce ecosystems in Alaska, and volume IIa included sites in hardwood ecosystems undergoing succession to 

spruce. Volume III included sites in lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, and gambel oak ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains. Volume IV included 

sites in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and chaparral ecosystems in the Southwest. Volume V included sites in red and white pine, northern tallgrass 

prairie, and mixed oak ecosystems in the Midwest, and volume Va included sites in jack pine ecosystems. Volume VI included sites in longleaf 

pine, pocosin, and marsh grass ecosystems in the Southeast, and volume VIa included sites in sand hill, sand pine scrub, and white pine-invaded 

hardwood ecosystems. Volume VII included sites in Oregon white oak, California deciduous oak, and mixed-conifer with shrub ecosystems in 

Washington, Oregon, and California. Volume VIII included sites in hardwood, pitch pine, and red spruce/balsam fir ecosystems in the Northeast.

Volume IX included sites in oak-juniper ecosystems in southern Arizona and New Mexico. An unnumbered volume included grassland,

shrubland, woodland, and forest ecosystems in Hawaii.

Generally, sites include wide-angle and stereo-pair photographs supplemented with information on living and dead fuels, vegetation, and stand 

structure and composition within the area visible in the photographs (fig. 1). This volume (Volume X) continues the natural fuels photo series and 

includes sites in sagebrush with grass, and ponderosa pine-juniper ecosystems in central Montana. The sites in this volume provide a basis for 

appraising and describing woody material, vegetation, and stand conditions in many sagebrush with grass and ponderosa pine-juniper ecosystems 

throughout Montana. 

Line intercept, vegetation height,

crown closure, and clipped

v egetation plot locations

Tree, seedling and

shrub plots

Edge of

sample area

Camera point

32 degree field of view

Figure 1--Photo series sample area layout. Forty random azimuth line transects (one at each point on the 30- and 150-foot arcs, and two at

each point on the 60-, 90-, and 120-foot arcs) and 12 clipped vegetation plots (two to three per arc) were located within the sample area.

Trees, shrubs, and seedlings were inventoried on 12 systematically located sample plots. 

L ht in retnie c ,tpe ev ge tat i hno ie g ,

crow d cn losure a, nd c pil pe

ev g ate t oi lpn to ol cations

eer , se de nil dnag

hs ru lpb o st

foegdE

eraelpmas

C tnioparema

32 d ge eer f vfodlei i we
3

WHY IS THE PHOTO SERIES NEEDED?

These photo series are land management tools that can be used to assess landscapes through appraisal of living and dead woody material and 

vegetation (i.e., fuels) and stand characteristics. Once an assessment has been completed, stand treatment options, such as prescribed fire or 

harvesting, can be planned and implemented to better achieve desired effects while minimizing negative impacts on other resources.

The photo series has application in several branches of natural resource science and management. Inventory data such as these can be used as 

inputs for evaluating animal and insect habitat, nutrient cycling, and microclimate, for example. Fire managers will find these data useful for 

predicting fuel consumption, smoke production, fire behavior, and fire effects during wildfires and prescribed fires. In addition, the photo series 

can be used to appraise carbon sequestration, an important factor in predictions of future climate, and to link remotely sensed signatures to live and 

dead fuels on the ground. 

Ground inventory procedures that directly measure site conditions (e.g., fuel loading and arrangement, vegetation structure and composition, etc.) 

exist for most ecosystem types and are useful when a high degree of accuracy is required. Ground inventory is time consuming and expensive, 

however. Photo series can be used to make quick, easy, and inexpensive determinations of fuel quantities and stand conditions when less precise 

estimates are acceptable. 

HOW WAS THE PHOTO SERIES DEVELOPED?

Sites photographed for the series in this volume were selected to represent a range of conditions in sagebrush with grass and ponderosa pinejuniper forest ecosystems in the Missouri Breaks region of central Montana. The sagebrush with grass sites represent a range of shrub coverage, 

species composition, and shrub size conditions and are ordered by total aboveground biomass. The ponderosa pine-juniper sites show a range of 

woodland and forested stand conditions and are ordered by tree density. Photographs were taken, and fuel loading, stand structure, and 

composition data were collected by using the procedures of Maxwell and Ward (1980) as a guide. 

PHOTOGRAPHS

Stereo-pair photographs are included in this guide. The three-dimensional image obtained by viewing the photographs with a stereoscope will 

improve the ability of the land manager to appraise natural fuel, vegetation, and stand structure conditions. A larger wide-angle photograph has 

been included for additional comparisons. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-

foot intervals to provide scale. The pole is 30 feet from the camera. The summary data relate to the field of view of the stereo-pair photographs 

but are based on measurements taken in the sample area only (see fig. 1). No sampling occurs in the foreground between the camera and the sign. 

PHOTOGRAPH AND INFORMATION ARRANGEMENT

The photographs and accompanying data summaries are presented as single sites organized into two series. Each site is arranged to occupy two facing 

pages. The upper page contains a wide-angle (50mm) photograph and general site and stand information. For the ponderosa pine-juniper series, the 

upper page includes information on understory vegetation and dead and down woody material loading and density by size class. The lower page 
4

includes the stereo-pair photographs and summaries of the overstory tree, sapling, and shrub structure and composition. The sagebrush with grass 

series also includes vegetation, litter, and woody material loading by size class. The ponderosa pine-juniper series also includes forest floor 

information along with juniper biomass and structure information.

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

The camera point of each site was located with a global positioning system receiver using the WGS-84 datum. Aspect and slope were measured 

with a compass and clinometer, respectively. Ecological community classification (to the association level; NatureServe 2006), an indicator of 

current vegetation composition, was assigned for all sites. In addition, Society of American Foresters (SAF; Eyre 1980) and Society for Range 

Management (SRM; Shiflet 1994) cover type, indicators of current vegetation composition were assigned for all ponderosa pine-juniper and 

sagebrush with grass sites, respectively. Shrub, forb, and graminoid species coverage along with mineral soil exposure, was estimated by using 

line intercept transects (Canfield 1941). The listing of understory species was not meant to be a complete vegetation inventory and may represent 

only a portion of the actual species richness of the sampled areas. 

For the ponderosa pine-juniper series, tree and seedling species present at a site are listed in order of abundance. Crown closure was measured 

with a forest densitometer (95 systematically located points). Tree and seedling composition and density were determined either by a total 

inventory of the sample area, or estimated by using twelve 0.005-acre circular plots; all trees less than 4.5 feet tall were considered seedlings. 

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

Graminoid and forb heights were measured at 25 points located systematically throughout the sample area; shrub height was calculated as an 

average of all shrubs measured in 12 systematically located 0.005-acre circular plots. Understory vegetation biomass was determined by sampling 

12 square, clipped vegetation plots (10.76 square feet each) located systematically throughout the sample area (fig. 1). All live and dead 

understory vegetation (except Juniperus spp.) within each square plot were clipped at ground level, separated, and returned to the laboratory for 

oven drying. Understory vegetation and other collected material was oven dried at a minimum of 158 °F for at least 48 hours before weighing and 

determination of area loading. Where present, Prunus virginiana was considered a shrub and measured in twelve 0.005-acre circular plots; 

biomass was calculated from a growth-form-based allometric equation (tall shrubs; Brown 1976). 

FOREST FLOOR INFORMATION

For the ponderosa pine-juniper series, litter and duff depth were calculated as the average of measurements taken every 5 feet between the 30- and 

150-foot arcs of the three center transects for a total of 75 measurements (fig. 1). The depth of the litter and duff was calculated as an average of 

the depth only where litter or duff was encountered during sampling (null values, or points where litter or duff were absent, are not included in the 

average). Therefore, the depths reported for litter and duff are not unit-wide averages, and do not necessarily sum to total depth. Loading was 

calculated from depth and bulk density values derived from field measurements or through collection of material in twelve 10.76-square-foot

plots.F

1

F Constancy, an indicator of how consistently the various forest floor components occur in the sample area, is expressed as a percentage of 

1

 Forest floor bulk density values used for each material type appear under “Notes to Users” for each series. 
5

the total number of measurements. The amount of exposed mineral soil at each site for the ponderosa pine-juniper series can be estimated by 

subtracting the constancy of the total forest floor from 100 percent. For the sagebrush with grass series, litter loading was determined through 

collection of material in twelve 10.76-square-foot plots. 

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

For the sagebrush with grass series, individual plants of selected shrub and tree species were measured in circular plots or, if shrub density was 

low, in the entire sample area. Selected tree and shrub species included Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, Artemisia tridentata, and 

Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The density and percentage of all stems that were dead is based on the number of plants rooted in circular plots ranging 

from 0.0001-acre to 0.005-acre each (or in the entire sample area if shrub density was low). Crown area was calculated from crown breadth (i.e., 

the average of the maximum crown diameter, and the widest point perpendicular to the maximum crown diameter). Basal diameter was measured 

above the root collar. Height is given as the average and maximum height of all sampled individuals of a given species. Cover was estimated by 

using line intercept transects (Canfield 1941). Pseudotsuga menziesii biomass was estimated by using species-specific allometric equations 

(Brown 1978) and includes the mass of foliage and branches less than 3 inches diameter. Shrub biomass was determined by sampling 12 square 

clipped vegetation plots located systematically throughout the sample area. 

WOODY MATERIAL

Measurement techniques used for inventorying dead and down woody material were patterned after the planar intersect method outlined by Brown 

(1974) and described by Maxwell and Ward (1980). Forty transects of random azimuth starting at 25 systematically located points within the 

sample area were used to determine woody material loading and density (fig. 1). Woody material data are reported by size classes that correspond 

to timelag fuel classes used in fire behavior modeling (see, for example, Burgan and Rothermel 1984).F

2

F Woody material in 10-hour, and 100-

hour-and-larger size classes was tallied on transects that were 10 feet and 30 feet long, respectively. The decay class and the actual diameter at the 

point of intersection were measured for all pieces >3 inches in diameter. All woody material less than or equal to 3 inches in diameter was 

considered sound. Woody material loading and woody material density were calculated from relationships that use number of pieces intersected 

and transect length (and wood specific gravity for loading) developed by Brown (1974) and Safranyik and Linton (1987), respectively. Woody 

material loading in the 1-hour size class (and the 10-hour and 100-hour size classes for many of the sites) was determined by collecting, oven 

drying, and weighing all pieces in twelve 10.76-square-foot plots. When woody material >3 inches in diameter was scarce, a total inventory 

within the sample area was conducted to determine loading and density estimates. Measurements were taken to determine log volume, and wood 

specific gravities were applied to the volume to calculate loading. 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Overstory tree and sapling composition and density were determined either by a total inventory of the sample area, or were estimated by using 

twelve 0.005-acre circular plots located systematically throughout the sample area (fig. 1). Tree measurement data were summarized by diameter 

2

 1-, 10-, 100- and 1,000-hour timelag fuels are defined as woody material )0.25 inch, 0.26-1.0 inch, 1.1-3.0 inches, and >3.0 inches in diameter, respectively. 
6

at breast height (d.b.h.) F

3

F size class and by tree status (live, dead, or all trees). The two most abundant tree species for each size class are listed 

with their relative density. Height to crown base (reported as ladder fuel height in previous photo series volumes) was defined as the height of the 

lowest, continuous live or dead branch material of the tree canopy, and height to live crown was defined as the height of the lowest continuous live 

branches of the tree canopy. Live crown mass (branchwood and foliage) was calculated from species- and size-specific allometric equations 

(Brown 1978, Jenkins et al. 2003). Juniperus scopulorum with a single-stemmed form was considered a tree.

JUNIPER BIOMASS

Juniperus scopulorum and J. horizontalis in the Missouri Breaks region of central Montana have a diverse morphology, from prostrate shrub to tree form, 

and are reported to hybridize (Fassett 1944, 1945), making them difficult to identify to the species level. Therefore, all juniper with a multi-stemmed form 

were combined, regardless of species, and characterized by height class to distinguish between the low stature juniper form ( 3 feet tall) and the more 

upright form (> 3 feet tall). Biomass was collected in six systematically located 10.76-square-foot plots for each height class represented at each site. All 

juniper vegetation that occupied the space defined by a vertical projection of the plot edges was clipped, separated into live and dead components, and 

weighed. A subsample of plots was further separated into size classes including foliage and live and dead fine twigs less than or equal to 0.25 inch, 0.26- 

to 1.0-inch twigs, and greater than 1.0 inch diameter stem and branch material. Biomass for each height class was calculated by multiplying the square 

footage occupied by each size/status class and the average loading per square foot for that size/status class for each site.

USING THE PHOTO SERIES

The natural fuels photo series is a tool for quickly and inexpensively evaluating a variety of fuel and vegetation conditions. Because of its ease of 

use, however, care must be taken when evaluating field sites to compare only with photo series sites that are appropriate matches. It is acceptable, 

however, to use the data from more than one site from the photo series when evaluating a site in the field (e.g., woody material loading from one 

site in the photo series and tree density from another site in the photo series to best match the conditions of a given field site).

Make a visual inventory of the site by observing fuel and stand conditions within the field of view and comparing them with the stereo-pair 

photographs as follows, remembering that the data tables relate to the area behind the sign in the stereo-pair photographs: 

• Observe each fuel and vegetation characteristic (e.g., 1.0- to 3.0-inch woody material loading). 

• Select a photo series site (or sites) that nearly matches (or brackets) the observed characteristics. 

• Obtain the quantitative value for the characteristic being estimated from the data summary accompanying the selected photo series site, or 

interpolate a value between sites. 

• Repeat these steps for each size class or stand characteristic of interest. 

The total biomass or stand condition can then be calculated by summing the estimates. If a site being inventoried has areas with obvious 

differences in woody material or stand conditions, the user should make separate determinations for each area and then weight and cumulate the 

loading for the whole site. 

3

 D.b.h. is measured 4.5 feet above the ground.
7

Characteristics not distinguishable in the photographs are forest floor depth, loading, and bulk density, and proportions of sound and rotten woody 

material. If values for these characteristics are desired in the inventory, they must be derived from independent sampling or observations.

The 20 National Fire-Danger Rating System fuel models (Burgan 1988, Deeming et al. 1977) and the 13 original (Albini 1976) or 40 new (Scott 

and Burgan 2005) fire behavior fuel models are general and broadly applied. Each photo series encompasses a wider range of conditions, and 

individual sites represent fuel characteristics at greater resolution than can be gained by using fuel models; consequently, we chose not to assign 

one of these existing fuel models to individual sites in this photo series. The photo series was designed to provide sufficient fuel and vegetation 

data from which managers could generate their own customized fuel models. 

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters 1 pound (lb) = 0.4536 kilogram 1 ton/acre = 0.2242 kilogram/square meter 

1 foot (ft) = 0.3048 meter 1 ton = 907.2 kilograms 1 ton/acre = 2241.7023 kilograms/hectare 

1 square foot = 0.0929 square meter (Degrees Fahrenheit - 32) × (5/9) = Degrees Celsius 1 ton·acre-1·inch-1 = 8.8256 kilograms/cubic meter 

1 acre (ac) = 4046.9 square meters 1 pound/acre (lb/ac) = 1.1209 kilograms/hectare 1 ton·acre-1·inch-1 = 8825.6 grams/cubic meter 

1 acre = 0.4047 hectare 1 pound/acre = 1.1209 E-04 kilograms/square meter 1 ton·acre-1·inch-1 = 8.8256E-03 grams/cubic centimeter
8

SPECIES LIST

Scientific and common species names are from NRCS (2006). 

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

TREES:

Juniperus scopulorum Sarg. Rocky Mountain juniper 

Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson 

 var. scopulorum Englem. Interior ponderosa pine 

Prunus virginiana L. Chokecherry 

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco 

 var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir

SHRUBS:

Artemisia tridentata Nutt.

ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle Mountain big sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata Nutt.

ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young Wyoming big sagebrush 

Chrysothamnus spp. Nutt. Rabbitbrush 

Juniperus spp. Juniper 

Juniperus horizontalis Moench Creeping juniper 

Potentilla spp. Cinquefoil 

Rhus trilobata Nutt. Skunkbush sumac 

Ribes spp. Currant 

Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wood’s rose 

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr. Greasewood 

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake Common snowberry 

GRAMINOIDS:

Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) 

Lag. ex Griffith Blue grama 

Bromus japonicus Thunb. ex Murr. Japanese brome 

Carex spp. Sedge 

Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould Thickspike wheatgrass 

Festuca idahoensis Elmer Idaho fescue 

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) J.A. Schultes Prairie junegrass 

Muhlenbergia spp. Muhly 

Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth Green needlegrass 

Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A Love Western wheatgrass 

Poa secunda J. Presl Sandberg bluegrass 

Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love Bluebunch wheatgrass

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME

FORBS:

Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow 

Allium spp. Onion

Antennaria spp. Pussytoes

Arabis spp. Rockcress

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. White sagebrush

Aster spp. Aster

Chenopodium spp. Goosefoot

Cirsium spp. Thistle

Collomia linearis Nutt. Tiny trumpet 

Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Bastard toadflax 

Fragaria spp. Strawberry

Fragaria vesca L. Woodland strawberry 

Geum triflorum (Pursh) Old man's whiskers or prairie smoke 

Halogeton glomeratus (Bieb.) C.A. Mey. Saltlover 

Helianthus L. Sunflower

Lactuca L. Lettuce

Lepidium spp. Pepperweed

Lupinus spp. Lupine 

Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam Yellow sweetclover 

Opuntia polycantha Haw. Plains pricklypear

Psoralea spp. Scurfpea

Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl. Upright prairie coneflower 

Sisymbrium spp. Hedgemustard

Solidago spp. Goldenrod 

Solidago velutina DC. Threenerve goldenrod 

Sphaeralcea coccinea (Nutt.) Rydb. Scarlet globemallow 

Taraxacum officinale G.H.Weber ex Wiggers Common dandelion 

Thermopsis montana Nutt. Mountain goldenbanner 

Thlaspi arvense L. Field pennycress 

Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow salsify 

Trifolium spp. Clover 

Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch 
 9

LITERATURE CITED

Albini, F.A. 1976. Estimating wildfire behavior and effects. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-30. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 92 p. 

Brown, J.K. 1974. Handbook for inventorying downed woody material. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-16. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 24 p. 

Brown, J.K. 1976. Estimating shrub biomass from basal stem diameters. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 6: 153-158. 

Brown, J.K. 1978. Weight and density of crowns of Rocky Mountain conifers. Res. Pap. INT-197. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 56 p. 

Burgan, R.E. 1988. 1988 revisions to the 1978 national fire-danger rating system. Res. Pap. SE-273. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 39 p. 

Burgan, R.E.; Rothermel, R.C. 1984. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system--FUEL subsystem. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT167. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 126 p. 

Canfield, R.H. 1941. Application of the line interception method in sampling range vegetation. Journal of Forestry. 39: 388-394. 

Deeming, J.E.; Burgan, R.E.; Cohen, J.D. 1977. The national fire-danger rating system--1978. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-39. Ogden, UT: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 63 p. 

Eyre, F.H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [+ map]. 

Fassett, N.C. 1944. Juniperus virginiana, J. horizontalis, and J. scopulorum. III. Possible hybridization of J. horizontalis and J. scopulorum.

Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 72(1): 42-46.

Fassett, N.C. 1945. Juniperus virginiana, J. horizontalis, and J. scopulorum. V. Taxonomic treatment. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 

72(5): 480-482.

Jenkins, J.C.; Chojnacky, D.C.; Heath, L.S.; Birdsey, R.A. 2003. National-scale biomass estimators for United States tree species. Forest 

Science. 49(1): 12-35. 

Maxwell, W.G.; Ward, F.R. 1980. Guidelines for developing or supplementing natural photo series. Res. Note PNW-358. Portland, OR: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 16 p. 

Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS]. 2006. The PLANTS Database. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA (19 September 2006). http://plants.usda.gov 

NatureServe. 2006. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life, Version 6.0. NatureServe, Arlington, VA (18 July 2006). 

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer

Safranyik, L.; Linton, D.A. 1987. Line intersect sampling for the density and bark area of logging residue susceptible to the spruce beetle, 

Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby). Inf. Rep. BC-X-295. Victoria, BC: Canadian Forestry Service, Pacific Forestry Centre. 10 p. 

Scott, J.H.; Burgan, R.E. 2005. Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel’s surface fire spread model.

RMRS-GTR-153. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 72 p. 

Shiflet, T.N. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Washington, DC: Society for Range Management. 152 p. 
10

2BSAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS

3BPHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 11 SITES

0BSG 01 THROUGH SG 11
SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 11

NOTES TO USERS:

1. Sites in the sagebrush with grass series are arranged in order of increasing total aboveground biomass 

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on page 8. 

3. Photographs were taken in July 2003, 2004, and 2005. Sampling was performed in July and August 2003, 2004, and August 2005. 

4. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-foot intervals. The pole is 30 feet from the 

camera.

5. Forest floor and woody material loading, and understory biomass are reported in tons per acre. The designation of “na” indicates cases where 

data are missing or “not available.” 

6. Although this series predominantly covers Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush) with grass types, two sites (SG02, SG07) are dominated by 

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (greasewood). 
SG 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 12

MBSG 03 

LEW 3 

Site location: N 47° 32’ 16.8” W 108° 52’ 41.7” 

Elevation: 2,996 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0% 

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Poa secunda (7), Artemisia tridentata

ssp. wyomingensis (2), Pascopyrum smithii (2), Vicia

americana (1), Achillea millefolium (1), Sphaeralcea

coccinea (1), Nasella viridula (1), Helianthus spp. (1),

Lepidium spp. (t), Comandra umbellata (t), Opuntia

polycantha (t), Medicago sativa (t), Halogeton

glomeratus (t), Collomia linearis (t), Allium spp. (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 58% 

Total aboveground biomass: 0.53 tons/ac 

SITE INFORMATION
SG 01 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 13

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 2 5 10

Avg height (ft) 0.9 0.5 0.5

Live biomass (tons/ac) 0.19 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 0.04 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 0.23 0.05 0.11

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.04 

) 0.25 0.02

0.26 - 1.0 0.08

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 0.14 

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp.

wyomingensis 1,105 2 1.1 1.3 1.1 0.9 1.6 2 0.23 
SG 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 14

MBSG 08 

LEW 8 

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 47° 37’ 43.5” W 108° 37’ 33.5” 

Elevation: 2,293 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0% 

Association: Black greasewood / western wheatgrass 

shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Sarcobatus vermiculatus (18), 

Muhlenbergia spp. (5), Pascopyrum smithii (5), 

Opuntia polycanthia (3), Sisymbrium spp. (1),

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (t),

Pseudoroegneria spicata (t), Bromus japonicus (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 61% 

Total aboveground biomass: 1.29 tons/ac 
SG 02 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 15

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Sarcobatus vermiculatus 3,907 0 1.9 3.7 na 1.8 3.4 18 0.75 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 19 1 16 

Avg height (ft) 1.8 0.7 1.1

Live biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 0.75 0.01 0.13

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.02 

) 0.25 0.19

0.26 - 1.0 0.19

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 0.40 
SG 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 16

MBSG 04 

LEW 4 

Site location: N 47° 32’ 16.5” W 108° 52’ 41.6” 

Elevation: 3,017 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0% 

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis (24), Poa secunda (3), Pascopyrum

smithii (2), Vicia americana (1), Nassella viridula (1),

Opuntia polycantha (t), Collomia linearis (t), Bromus

japonicus (t), Sphaeralcea coccinea (t), Medicago

sativa (t), Commandra umbellata (t), Allium spp. (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 32% 

Total aboveground biomass: 1.93 tons/ac 

SITE INFORMATION
SG 03 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 17

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis 4,075 5 0.7 0.5 1.1 0.7 1.8 24 1.55 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 24 1 6

Avg height (ft) 0.7 0.4 0.4

Live biomass (tons/ac) 1.10 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 0.45 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 1.55 0.02 0.08

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.06 

) 0.25 0.11

0.26 - 1.0 0.11

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 0.28 
SG 04 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 18

MBSG 06 

LEW6 

Site location: N 47° 38’ 09.2” W 108° 40’ 01.8” 

Elevation: 2,791 ft Aspect: SW Slope: 5% 

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Pseudoroegneria spicata (28),

Melilotus officinalis (10), Bromus japonicus (6), 

Pascopyrum smithii (5), Sarcobatus vermiculatus (3), 

Vicia americana (3), Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis (2),Carex spp. (2), Trifolium spp. (2), 

Achillea millefolium (2), Nassella viridula (1), 

Opuntia polycantha (1), Sisymbrium spp. (1), 

Thermopsis montana (1), Koeleria macrantha (1),

Muhlenbergia spp. (1), Rhus trilobata (1),

Taraxacum officinale (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 4% 

Total aboveground biomass: 2.24 tons/ac 

SITE INFORMATION
SG 04 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 19

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp.

wyomingensis 491 4 1.7 3.3 1.4 1.7 3.7 2 0.20 

Juniperus scopulorum 51 0 4.9 5.3 3.2*

 8.7 13 3 0.98

*

Diameter at breast height 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 8 19 74

Avg height (ft) 1.6 1.4 1.2

Live biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 0.30 0.07 0.66

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.19 

) 0.25 0.01

0.26 - 1.0 0.03

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 0.23 
SG 05 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 20

MBSG 02 

LEW 2 

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 47° 31’ 45.6” W 108° 52’ 33.2” 

Elevation: 3,036 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0% 

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp.

wyomingensis (10), Juniperus horizontalis (6), 

Elymus lanceolatus (3), Pascopyrum smithii (3),

Poa secunda (2), Medicago sativa (1), Comandra

umbellata (1), Sphaeralcea coccinea (1), Vicia

americana (1), Allium spp. (t), Bromus japonicus (t),

Halogeton glomeratus (t), Opuntia polycantha (t),

Collomia linearis (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 73% 

Total aboveground biomass: 2.65 tons/ac 
SG 05 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 21

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis 23,775 28 0.8 0.6 0.9 0.6 1.5 10 1.67 

Juniperus horizontalis na na na na na 1.6 2.6 6 0.31 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 16 4 8

Avg height (ft) 0.6 0.3 0.6

Live biomass (tons/ac) 1.15 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 0.83 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 1.98 0.02 0.18

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.08 

) 0.25 0.14

0.26 - 1.0 0.25

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 0.47 
SG 06 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 22

MBSG PS01 

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 47° 33’ 01.4” W 108° 49’ 48.3” 

Elevation: 2,840 ft Aspect: NW Slope: 13%

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis (21), Pseudoroegneria spicata (na),

Pascopyrum smithii (na), Poa secunda (na), Bromus

japonicus (na), Opuntia polycantha (t), Achillea

millefolium (na), Vicia americana (na), Collomia

linearis (na), Medicago sativa (na), Tragopogon

dubius (na), Sphaeralcea coccinea (na)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 8% 

Total aboveground biomass: 3.07 tons/ac 
SG 06 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 23

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis 6,776 14 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 2.4 21 1.72 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 21 2 8

Avg height (ft) 1.5 0.6 0.6

Live biomass (tons/ac) 1.23 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 0.49 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 1.72 0.01 0.25

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.39 

) 0.25 0.23

0.26 - 1.0 0.47

1.1 - 3.0 0.00

Total 1.09 
SG 07 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 24

MBSG PS07 

Site location: N 47° 37’ 47.5” W 108° 37’ 23.6” 

Elevation: 2,293 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 0% 

Association: Black greasewood / western wheatgrass 

shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Pascopyrum smithii (48),

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (20), Artemisia tridentata

ssp. wyomingensis (5), Vicia americana (2),

Sisymbrium spp. (1), Achillea millefolium (t), Melilotus

officinalis (t), Trifolium spp. (t), Opuntia polycantha (t),

Koeleria macrantha (t), Pseudoroegneria spicata (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 19% 

Total aboveground biomass: 3.86 tons/ac 

SITE INFORMATION
SG 07 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 25

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis 1,694 0 1.3 1.7 na 1.7 2.9 5 0.54

Sarcobatus vermiculatus 3,840 1 1.8 3.0 na 2.2 3.9 20 2.10

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 25 5 49 

Avg height (ft) 2.5 1.0 1.4

Live biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 2.64 0.13 0.71

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.03 

) 0.25 0.13

0.26 - 1.0 0.16

1.1 - 3.0 0.06

Total 0.38 
SG 08 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 26

MBSG PS07 

SITE INFORMATION

Site location: N 47° 33’ 00.6” W 108° 49’ 46.5” 

Elevation: 2,870 ft Aspect: -- Slope: 2% 

Association: Wyoming big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrub herbaceous vegetation 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Pseudoroegneria spicata (40),

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (11), 

Pascopyrum smithii (8), Juniperus horizontalis (7),

Rosa woodsii (3), Bromus japonicus (2), Koeleria

macrantha (2), Symphoricarpos albus (2), Achillea

millifolium (2), Rhus trilobata (2), Melilotus

officinalis (1), Solidago velutina (t), Taraxacum

officinale (t), Sisymbrium spp. (t)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 18% 

Total aboveground biomass: 5.03 tons/ac 
SG 08 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 27

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

wyomingensis 2,516 1 1.3 1.7 na 1.3 2.7 11 0.73 

Juniperus horizontalis na 0 na na na 2.0 3.4 7 2.82 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid 

Coverage (percent) 24 3 53

Avg height (ft) 1.1 0.4 0.9

Live biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) -- -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 3.78 0.01 0.14

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.23 

) 0.25 0.26

0.26 - 1.0 0.25

1.1 - 3.0 0.36

Total 1.10 
SG 09 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 28

SITE INFORMATION

Dillon SG 01 

Site location: N 44° 54’ 37.0” W 113° 21’ 15.5” 

Elevation: 7,560 ft Aspect: NNE Slope: 5% 

Association: Mountain big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrubland 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp.

vaseyana (63), Pseudotsuga menziesii (1), Festuca

idahoensis (na), Lupinus spp. (na)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 6% 

Total aboveground biomass: 5.35 tons/ac 
SG 09 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 29

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp. 

vaseyana

12,660 8 1.9 3.2 1.3 2.0 2.6 63 3.21

Pseudotsuga menziesii 18 0 4.3 11.2 1.1*

 6.6 9.0 1 0.07

*

Diameter at breast height 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 63 6 37 

Avg height (ft) 2.0 0.4 0.5

Live biomass (tons/ac) 2.08 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 1.13 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 3.21 0.08 0.51

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 0.91 

) 0.25 --*

0.26 - 1.0 0.50

1.1 - 3.0 0.07

Total 1.48 

* Included with litter 
SG 10 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 30

SITE INFORMATION

Dillon SG 02 

Site location: N 44° 55’ 01.0” W 113° 21’ 01.9” 

Elevation: 7,345 ft Aspect: NE Slope: 8% 

Association: Mountain big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrubland 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp.

vaseyana (53), Festuca idahoensis (na),

Lupinus spp. (na)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 6% 

Total aboveground biomass: 7.47 tons/ac 
SG 10 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 31

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2

)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp.

vaseyana

8,103 9 1.5 2.0 1.3 1.7 2.6 53 4.49 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 53 7 23 

Avg height (ft) 1.7 0.3 0.5

Live biomass (tons/ac) 2.58 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 1.91 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 4.49 0.11 0.15

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 2.18 

) 0.25 --*

0.26 - 1.0 0.50

1.1 - 3.0 0.04

Total 2.72 

*

 Included with litter 
SG 11 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 32

DillonSG

03

Site location: N 45° 18’ 50.0” W 113° 01’ 39.5” 

Elevation: 7,440 ft Aspect: SE Slope: 5% 

Association: Mountain big sagebrush / western 

wheatgrass shrubland 

SRM cover type: Sagebrush-grass 

Species (% cover): Artemisia tridentata ssp.

vaseyana (66), Festuca idahoensis (na),

Carex spp. (na), Lupinus spp. (na)

Exposed mineral soil (coverage): 1% 

Total aboveground biomass: 9.53 tons/ac 

SITE INFORMATION
SG 11 SAGEBRUSH WITH GRASS 33

SELECTED SHRUB AND TREE SPECIES

Density

(plants/ac)

Dead

(% of plants) 

Avg crown 

breadth (ft) 

Avg crown

area (ft2)

Avg basal 

diameter (in) 

Avg height

(ft)

Max height 

(ft)

Coverage

(percentage)

Biomass

(tons/ac)

Artemisia tridentata ssp.

vaseyana

11,141 2 1.7 3.1 1.4 2.5 4.1 66 5.50 

VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Shrub Forb Graminoid

Coverage (percent) 66 14 25 

Avg height (ft) 2.5 0.6 0.4

Live biomass (tons/ac) 2.77 -- --

Dead biomass (tons/ac) 2.73 -- --

Total biomass (tons/ac) 5.50 0.15 0.18

LITTER AND WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading (tons/ac)

Diameter (in) Total

Litter 2.59 

) 0.25 --*

0.26 - 1.0 1.00

1.1 - 3.0 0.11

Total 3.70 

*

 Included with litter 
34

4BPONDEROSA PINE-JUNIPER

5BPHOTO SERIES

A SERIES OF 12 SITES

1BPPJ 01 THROUGH PPJ 12
PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 35 

NOTES TO USERS:

1. Sites are arranged in order of increasing density of trees >4 inches d.b.h. 

2. A list of scientific and common species names can be found on page 8. 

3. Photographs were taken in July 2003, 2004, and 2005. Sampling was performed in July and August 2003, 2004, and August 2005. 

4. The marker in these photographs is a 1-foot square, and the pole is painted in contrasting colors at 1-foot intervals. The pole is 30 feet from 

the camera. 

5. Bulk density values used for calculating forest floor loading from depth: 

Material type Litter bulk density Duff bulk density 

Tons·acre

-1·inch-1 Tons·acre-1·inch-1

Ponderosa pine 3.40 7.55

Juniper 4.98 12.01

Moss 2.84 12.10

Grass 0.30 6.39 

6. Forest floor and woody material loading, and understory biomass are reported in tons per acre. The designation of “na” indicates cases where 

data are missing or “not available.” 

7. A distinction is made between rotten and sound woody material for pieces larger than 3 inches in diameter. 

8. Depth values reported for surface material, duff, and total forest floor are not unit-wide averages (null values, or points where litter or duff are 

absent, are not included in average), and, as such, the total forest floor depth is not the sum of surface material and duff depths.

9. Juniper biomass for each height class was calculated by multiplying the square footage occupied by each size/status class and the average 

loading per square foot.

10. Juniper biomass summarized in the sapling and tree table consists solely of the single stemmed form Juniperus scopulorum.

11. Juniper biomass summarized in the juniper shrub biomass table is assumed to consist of the multistemmed form Juniperus horizontalis.

Loading values represent the total amount of material for plants in each height category (i.e., material from 0 to 3 ft above the ground is 

included in the value reported for the > 3-ft tall category). 

12. Shrub biomass, coverage, and height summarized in the understory vegetation table consists of shrub species found at each site and includes 

Juniperus horizontalis. 
PPJ 01 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 36

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.31 -- 0.31 

0.26 - 1.0 0.37 -- 0.37 

1.1 - 3.0 0.00 -- 0.00 

> 3.0 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 

Total 0.68 0.00 0.68 

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 10 1 43 

Height

(ft) 1.1 0.5 2.0 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.06 0.01 3.28 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 45.1” W 108o 52’ 16.1” 

Elevation: 3,025 ft Aspect: N Slope: 5% 

Association: Ponderosa pine/ Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 2% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (36), Nassella

viridula (6), Artemesia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (2),

Pascopyrum smithii (2), Symphoricarpos albus (2), 

Rosa woodsii (1), Rhus trilobata (1), Ribes spp. (1)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 01 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 37

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.85 0.11 0.96 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.21 0.15 1.36 

 > 1.0 in 0.16 0.02 0.18 

 Subtotal 2.22 0.28 2.50 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.06 0.01 0.07 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.28 0.04 0.32 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.34 0.05 0.39 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.91 0.12 1.03 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.49 0.19 1.68 

 > 1.0 in 0.16 0.02 0.18 

Grand total 2.56 0.33 2.89 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.3 0.34 52 

Duff 0.0 0.00 0

Total 0.3 0.34 52 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) -- -- Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 0 7 0 7

 Live 0 0 7 0 7

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) -- -- 11.6 -- 11.6 

 Live -- -- 11.6 -- 11.6 

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) -- -- 30.0 -- 30.0

 Live -- -- 30.0 -- 30.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- -- 5.5 -- 5.5

 Live -- -- 5.5 -- 5.5

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- -- 6.0 -- 6.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.00 0.76 0.00 0.76
PPJ 02 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 38

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 15 4 23 

Height

(ft) 0.7 0.5 1.6 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.13 0.03 3.13 

MBJ08

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.11 -- 0.11 

0.26 - 1.0 0.09 -- 0.09 

1.1 - 3.0 0.00 -- 0.00 

> 3.0 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 

Total 0.20 0.00 0.20 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 44.0” W 108o 52’ 16.6” 

Elevation: 3,031 ft Aspect: N Slope: 1% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus scopulorum (94), Pinus

ponderosa (6)

Crown closure: 2% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None 

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (15), Pascopyrum

smithii (11), Artemesia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (8),

Bromus japonicus (2), Medicago sativa (2)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 02 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 39

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (50) -- -- Pinus

ponderosa (50)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- Juniperus

scopulorum (50) -- -- Juniperus

scopulorum (50)

Tree density (stems/ac) 115 14 0 0 14

 Live 72 14 0 0 14

 Dead 43 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.1 6.4 -- -- 6.4

 Live 1.1 6.4 -- -- 6.4

 Dead 1.2 -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 6.4 12.0 -- -- 12.0

 Live 6.7 12.0 -- -- 12.0

 Dead 5.8 -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.4 2.0 -- -- 2.0

 Live 0.9 2.0 -- -- 2.0

 Dead 2.4 -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 1.4 3.0 -- -- 3.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.20 0.46 0.00 0.00 0.46

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.31 0.35 0.66 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.20 0.26 0.46 

 > 1.0 in 0.17 0.42 0.59 

 Subtotal 0.68 1.03 1.71 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.09 0.11 0.20 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.10 0.05 0.15 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.09 0.09 

 Subtotal 0.19 0.25 0.44 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.40 0.46 0.86 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.30 0.31 0.61 

 > 1.0 in 0.17 0.51 0.68 

Grand total 0.87 1.28 2.15 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.5 0.30 24 

Duff 0.7 0.91 12 

Total 0.9 1.21 25 
PPJ 03 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 40

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 6 5 87 

Height

(ft) 0.7 0.6 2.1 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.07 0.03 10.27 

MBJ04

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.28 -- 0.28 

0.26 - 1.0 0.63 -- 0.63 

1.1 - 3.0 0.00 -- 0.00 

> 3.0 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 

Total 0.91 0.00 0.91 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 37.9” W 108o 52’ 55.0” 

Elevation: 3,020 ft Aspect: NE Slope: < 5% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus scopulorum (87), Pinus

ponderosa (13)

Crown closure: 8% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None 

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperusspp. (72), Rosa woodsii (11),

Pascopyrum smithii (3), Rhus trilobata (2), Elymus

lanceolatus (2), Collomia linearis (1), Ribes spp. (1)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 03 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 41

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 1.69 0.79 2.48 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.15 0.98 2.13 

 > 1.0 in 0.56 1.01 1.57 

 Subtotal 3.40 2.78 6.18 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 1.07 0.65 1.72 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.92 0.67 1.59 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.61 0.61 

 Subtotal 1.99 1.93 3.92 

All: ) 0.25 in 2.76 1.44 4.20 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 2.07 1.65 3.72 

 > 1.0 in 0.56 1.62 2.18 

Grand total 5.39 4.71 10.10 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.4 1.23 61 

Duff 0.5 2.87 49 

Total 0.6 4.10 84 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (96)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) 

Pinus

 ponderosa (4) -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 181 7 7 0 14

 Live 181 7 7 0 14

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.1 8.5 10.8 -- 9.7

 Live 2.1 8.5 10.8 -- 9.7

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 8.2 22.0 28.0 -- 25.0

 Live 8.2 22.0 28.0 -- 25.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.5 3.0 3.0 -- 3.0

 Live 2.5 3.0 3.0 -- 3.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.9 5.0 5.0 -- 5.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 1.05 0.40 0.66 0.00 1.06
PPJ 04 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 42

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 13 3 16 

Height

(ft) 0.6 0.6 0.8 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.18 0.01 2.11 

MBJ10

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.05 -- 0.05 

0.26 - 1.0 0.10 -- 0.10 

1.1 - 3.0 0.03 0.01 0.04 

> 3.0 0.10 (14) 0.01 (7) 0.11 (21) 

Total 0.28 0.02 0.30 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 36.4” W 108o 52’ 50.6” 

Elevation: 3,035 ft Aspect: N Slope: 9% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 10% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None 

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (8), Artemesia

tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (8), Pascopyrum

smithii (4), Nassella viridula (4), Poa secunda (4),

Psoralea spp. (1), Achillea millefolium (1)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 04 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 43

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.36 0.00 0.36 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.22 0.00 0.22 

 > 1.0 in 0.02 0.00 0.02 

 Subtotal 0.60 0.00 0.60 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.06 0.00 0.06 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.03 0.00 0.03 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.09 0.00 0.09 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.42 0.00 0.42 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.25 0.00 0.25 

 > 1.0 in 0.02 0.00 0.02 

Grand total 0.69 0.00 0.69 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter na 0.06 na 

Duff -- 0.00 0 

Total na 0.06 na 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- --

Tree density (stems/ac) 7 36 14 0 50

 Live 7 36 14 0 50

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.3 6.4 11.3 -- 7.8

 Live 1.3 6.4 11.3 -- 7.8

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 7.0 21.2 27.5 -- 23.0

 Live 7.0 21.2 27.5 -- 23.0

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.0 4.0 6.0 -- 4.6

 Live 3.0 4.0 6.0 -- 4.6

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.0 5.0 6.0 -- 5.3

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.01 1.14 1.44 0.00 2.58
PPJ 05 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 44

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 10 5 99 

Height

(ft) 0.7 0.6 1.8 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.06 0.14 10.03 

MBJ03

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.05 -- 0.05 

0.26 - 1.0 0.15 -- 0.15 

1.1 - 3.0 0.16 -- 0.16 

> 3.0 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 0.00 (0) 

Total 0.36 0.00 0.36 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 39.6” W 108o 52’ 49.2” 

Elevation: 3,027 ft Aspect: W Slope: 5% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 37% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None 

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperusspp. (79), Rosa woodsii (13),

Symphoricarpos albus (6), Carex spp. (6), Achillea

millefolium (2), Ribes spp. (1), Antennaria spp. (1),

Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (1)
PPJ 05 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 45

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 1.15 0.24 1.39 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.18 0.30 1.48 

 > 1.0 in 1.26 1.02 2.28 

 Subtotal 3.59 1.56 5.15 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.59 0.38 0.97 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.76 1.16 2.92 

 > 1.0 in 0.55 0.34 0.89 

 Subtotal 2.90 1.88 4.78 

All: ) 0.25 in 1.74 0.62 2.36 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 2.94 1.46 4.40 

 > 1.0 in 1.81 1.36 3.17 

Grand total 6.49 3.44 9.93 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.8 2.05 93 

Duff 1.4 5.91 57 

Total 1.6 7.96 93 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 0 29 43 7 79

 Live 0 29 43 7 79

 Dead 0 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) -- 6.2 12.4 17.5 10.6

 Live -- 6.2 12.4 17.5 10.6

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) -- 21.0 32.5 37.0 28.7

 Live -- 21.0 32.5 37.0 28.7

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) -- 3.0 5.8 9.0 5.1

 Live -- 3.0 5.8 9.0 5.1

 Dead -- -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) -- 6.5 9.0 9.0 8.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.00 0.88 5.40 1.79 8.07
PPJ 06 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 46

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 13 1 98 

Height

(ft) 1.0 1.0 3.0 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.03 0.03 3.63 

MBJ12

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.39 -- 0.39 

0.26 - 1.0 0.18 -- 0.18 

1.1 - 3.0 0.09 -- 0.09 

> 3.0 0.85 (58) 0.39 (39) 1.24 (97) 

Total 1.51 0.39 1.90 

Site location: N 47o 33’ 01.1” W 108o 49’ 48.4” 

Elevation: 2,851 ft Aspect: N Slope: 18% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Juniperus scopulorum (81),

Pseudotsuga menziesii (13), Pinus ponderosa (6)

Crown closure: 22% 

Seedlings (% of stems): None 

Density: 0/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperusspp. (87), Pseudoroegneria

spicata (11), Symphoricarpus albus(6), Rosa woodsii (3),

Rhus trilobata (2), Solidago velutina (1)
PPJ 06 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 47

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.94 0.44 1.38 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.84 0.34 1.18 

 > 1.0 in 0.50 0.07 0.57 

 Subtotal 2.28 0.85 3.13 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.14 0.04 0.18 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.22 0.08 0.30 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.36 0.12 0.48 

All: ) 0.25 in 1.08 0.48 1.56 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.06 0.42 1.48 

 > 1.0 in 0.50 0.07 0.57 

Grand total 2.64 0.97 3.61 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.5 1.61 89 

Duff 0.6 2.49 40 

Total 0.7 4.30 89 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (92)

Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (44) -- -- Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (44)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) 

Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (5)

Juniperus

scopulorum (33) -- -- Juniperus

scopulorum (33)

Tree density (stems/ac) 637 151 0 0 151

 Live 570 151 0 0 151

 Dead 67 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.9 6.4 -- -- 6.4

 Live 2.0 6.4 -- -- 6.4

 Dead 1.7 -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 9.6 20.0 -- -- 20.0

 Live 9.6 20.0 -- -- 20.0

 Dead 9.0 -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 0.3 0.6 -- -- 0.6

 Live 0.2 0.6 -- -- 0.6

 Dead 0.6 -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 1.3 2.1 -- -- 2.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 3.15 4.32 0.00 0.00 4.32
PPJ 07 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 48

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 23 1 21 

Height

(ft) 0.5 0.5 3.1 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.04 <0.01 0.30 

.

MBJ05

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.29 -- 0.29 

0.26 - 1.0 0.86 -- 0.86 

1.1 - 3.0 0.65 -- 0.65 

> 3.0 0.33 (19) 0.49 (34) 0.82 (53) 

Total 2.13 0.49 2.62 

Site location: N 47o 35’ 33.5” W 108o 42’ 46.4” 

Elevation: 2,660 ft Aspect: NW Slope: 45% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pseudotsuga menziesii (49), Juniperus

scopulorum (48), Pinus ponderosa (3)

Crown closure: 74% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pseudotsuga menziesii (91),

Juniperus spp. (9)

Density: 185/ac

Understory (% cover): Prunus virginiana (15), Juniperus

spp. (3), Achillea millefolium (1)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 07 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 49

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.03 0.00 0.03 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.01 0.00 0.01 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.04 0.00 0.04 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.01 0.00 0.01 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.01 0.00 0.01 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.04 0.00 0.04 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.01 0.00 0.01 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Grand total 0.05 0.00 0.05 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.5 1.75 95 

Duff 0.9 6.68 76 

Total 1.2 8.43 95 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (57)

Pseudotsuga

menziesii (83)

Pinus

ponderosa (50) -- Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (75)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) 

Pseudotsuga

menziesii (43)

Juniperus

scopulorum (17)

Pseudotsuga

menziesii (50) -- Pinus

ponderosa (13)

Tree density (stems/ac) 1,023 201 67 0 268

 Live 704 201 67 0 268

 Dead 319 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.0 5.5 10.6 -- 6.8

 Live 2.0 5.5 10.6 -- 6.8

 Dead 1.9 -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 11.5 26.6 34.8 -- 28.6

 Live 12.4 26.6 34.8 -- 28.6

 Dead 9.5 -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.8 3.4 9.8 -- 5.0

 Live 1.7 3.4 9.8 -- 5.0

 Dead 2.2 -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.4 10.1 16.5 -- 11.7 

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 3.87 4.73 5.47 0.00 10.20 
PPJ 08 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 50

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 7 3 16 

Height

(ft) 0.5 0.4 0.7 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.04 0.02 0.82 

MBJ09

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.12 -- 0.12 

0.26 - 1.0 0.35 -- 0.35 

1.1 - 3.0 0.36 -- 0.36 

> 3.0 0.28 (10) 0.03 (5) 0.31 (15) 

Total 1.11 0.03 1.14 

Site location: N 47o 06’ 58.0” W 108o 35’ 43.9” 

Elevation: 3,206 ft Aspect: SE Slope: 5% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 38% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 14/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (16), Carex spp. (4),

Collomia linearis (1), Achillea millefolium (1),

Chenopodium spp. (1), Opuntia polycantha (t),

Antennaria spp. (t), Arabis spp. (t)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 08 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 51

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.31 0.00 0.31 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.18 0.00 0.18 

 > 1.0 in 0.08 0.00 0.08 

 Subtotal 0.56 0.00 0.56 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.20 0.00 0.20 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.05 0.00 0.05 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.25 0.00 0.25 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.51 0.00 0.51 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.23 0.00 0.23 

 > 1.0 in 0.08 0.00 0.08 

Grand total 0.82 0.00 0.82 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.7 1.89 85 

Duff 0.8 4.90 85 

Total 1.3 6.79 93 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 94 94 65 0 159

 Live 65 87 58 0 145

 Dead 29 7 7 0 14

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.9 7.0 10.3 -- 8.4

 Live 3.0 7.1 10.0 -- 8.3

 Dead 2.8 5.8 12.9 -- 9.4

Avg height (ft) 7.7 27.4 32.1 -- 29.3

 Live 8.0 28.5 32.5 -- 30.1

 Dead 7.0 14.0 29.0 -- 21.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.5 7.3 8.1 -- 7.7

 Live 2.2 7.3 8.4 -- 7.7

 Dead 3.1 8.0 6.0 -- 7.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 4.2 13.9 14.5 -- 14.2

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.42 3.43 4.51 0.00 7.94
PPJ 09 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 52

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 27 2 29 

Height

(ft) 0.5 0.5 1.0 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.09 0.01 1.15 

MBJ01

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.15 -- 0.15 

0.26 - 1.0 0.32 -- 0.32 

1.1 - 3.0 0.28 -- 0.28 

> 3.0 0.55 (34) 2.07 (63) 2.62 (97) 

Total 1.30 2.07 3.37 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 50.3” W 108o 52’ 30.3” 

Elevation: 2,979 ft Aspect: N Slope: 10% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (92), Juniperus

scopulorum (6), Pseudotsuga menziesii (2)

Crown closure: 56% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (98),

Pseudotsuga menziesii (2)

Density: 1,306/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (32), Carex spp. (19),

Antennaria spp. (1)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 09 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 53

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.40 0.01 0.41 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.24 0.01 0.25 

 > 1.0 in 0.19 0.01 0.20 

 Subtotal 0.83 0.03 0.86 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.13 <0.01 0.13 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.14 <0.01 0.14 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.27 <0.01 0.27 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.53 0.01 0.54 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.38 0.01 0.39 

 > 1.0 in 0.19 0.01 0.20 

Grand total 1.10 0.03 1.13 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.7 2.16 96 

Duff 1.3 9.18 92 

Total 1.9 11.34 99 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (89)

Pinus

ponderosa (96)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (97)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (9)

Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (4) -- -- Pseudotsuga

menzeisii (3)

Tree density (stems/ac) 462 181 101 0 282

 Live 419 167 101 0 268

 Dead 43 14 0 0 14

Avg d.b.h. (in) 1.1 6.9 11.3 -- 8.5

 Live 1.0 7.0 11.3 -- 8.6

 Dead 1.8 5.6 -- -- 5.6

Avg height (ft) 8.1 29.2 41.7 -- 33.7

 Live 7.9 30.3 41.7 -- 34.6

 Dead 10.2 16.5 -- -- 16.5

Avg height to crown base (ft) 1.8 10.3 14.8 -- 11.9 

 Live 1.7 10.8 14.8 -- 12.3

 Dead 2.5 4.0 -- -- 4.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 2.9 12.7 20.4 -- 15.6

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.59 6.35 10.17 0.00 16.52 
PPJ 10 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 54

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 12 6 52 

Height

(ft) 0.7 0.4 1.2 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.06 0.02 2.92 

MBJ02

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.04 -- 0.04 

0.26 - 1.0 0.40 -- 0.40 

1.1 - 3.0 0.40 -- 0.40 

> 3.0 0.08 (10) 1.38 (34) 1.46 (29) 

Total 0.92 1.38 2.30 

Site location: N 47o 31’ 39.3” W 108o 52’ 49.3” 

Elevation: 3,029 ft Aspect: NE Slope: 10% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (98), Juniperus

scopulorum (2)

Crown closure: 67% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (80),

Pseudotsuga menziesii (20)

Density: 36/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (48), Carex spp. (4),

Symphoricarpus albus (3), Solidago spp. (2)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 10 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 55

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.81 0.01 0.82 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.75 0.01 0.76 

 > 1.0 in 0.43 0.01 0.44 

 Subtotal 1.99 0.03 2.02 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.34 0.01 0.35 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.51 0.01 0.52 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.85 0.02 0.87 

All: ) 0.25 in 1.15 0.02 1.17 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 1.26 0.02 1.28 

 > 1.0 in 0.43 0.01 0.44 

Grand total 2.84 0.05 2.89 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 1.2 4.05 96 

Duff 1.5 10.35 85 

Total 2.6 14.40 96 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (96)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) 

Juniperus

scopulorum (4) -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 173 209 94 0 303

 Live 159 209 94 0 303

 Dead 14 0 0 0 0

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.9 5.8 12.4 -- 7.8

 Live 2.9 5.8 12.4 -- 7.8

 Dead 2.6 -- -- -- --

Avg height (ft) 9.9 26.5 42.5 -- 31.4

 Live 10.0 26.5 42.5 -- 31.4

 Dead 9.0 -- -- -- --

Avg height to crown base (ft) 2.6 6.3 9.9 -- 7.4

 Live 2.5 6.3 9.9 -- 7.4

 Dead 3.3 -- -- -- --

Avg height to live crown (ft) 3.9 11.3 17.8 -- 13.3

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 1.03 5.54 11.83 0.00 17.37 
PPJ 11 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 56

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 1 2 28 

Height

(ft) 0.7 0.3 0.4 

Biomass

(tons/ac) <0.01 <0.01 0.69 

MBJ06

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.22 -- 0.22 

0.26 - 1.0 0.59 -- 0.59 

1.1 - 3.0 0.69 -- 0.69 

> 3.0 0.20 (10) 0.55 (39) 0.75 (49) 

Total 1.70 0.55 2.25 

Site location: N 47o 06’ 57.9” W 108o 35’ 27.6” 

Elevation: 3,312 ft Aspect: W Slope: 5% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 40% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 152/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (28), Collomia

linearis (2), Opuntia polycantha (t)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 11 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 57

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.57 0.00 0.57 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.05 0.00 0.05 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.62 0.00 0.62 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.07 0.00 0.07 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.07 0.00 0.07 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.64 0.00 0.64 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.05 0.00 0.05 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Grand total 0.69 0.00 0.69 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.7 2.20 96 

Duff 0.8 5.15 84 

Total 1.4 7.35 96 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 823 289 36 0 325

 Live 700 267 36 0 303

 Dead 123 22 0 0 22

Avg d.b.h. (in) 2.0 5.8 11.1 -- 6.4

 Live 2.1 5.8 11.1 -- 6.4

 Dead 2.0 5.4 -- -- 5.4

Avg height (ft) 10.8 21.9 35.0 -- 23.3

 Live 10.8 22.8 35.0 -- 24.3

 Dead 10.7 10.0 -- -- 10.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 3.8 7.3 10.0 -- 7.6

 Live 3.9 7.3 10.0 -- 7.6

 Dead 3.3 7.0 -- -- 7.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 5.2 11.7 15.0 -- 12.1

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 2.48 7.03 3.46 0.00 10.49 
PPJ 12 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 58

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION

 Lifeform 

 Graminoid Forb Shrub 

Coverage

(percentage) 1 1 9 

Height

(ft) 0.5 0.2 0.6 

Biomass

(tons/ac) 0.01 <0.01 0.21 

MBJ07

WOODY MATERIAL

 Loading in tons/ac (density in pieces/ac) 

Diameter (in) Sound Rotten Total 

) 0.25 0.24 -- 0.24 

0.26 - 1.0 0.37 -- 0.37 

1.1 - 3.0 0.28 -- 0.28 

> 3.0 0.85 (19) 0.00 (0) 0.85 (19) 

Total 1.74 0.00 1.74 

Site location: N 47o 07’ 00.0” W 108o 35’ 32.3” 

Elevation: 3,303 ft Aspect: W Slope: 2% 

Association: Ponderosa pine / Rocky Mountain

juniper woodland 

SAF cover type: Interior ponderosa pine 

Trees (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Crown closure: 56% 

Seedlings (% of stems): Pinus ponderosa (100)

Density: 36/ac 

Understory (% cover): Juniperus spp. (9), Collomia

linearis (1), Carex spp. (na)

SITE AND STAND INFORMATION
PPJ 12 PONDEROSA PINE - JUNIPER 59

JUNIPER SHRUB BIOMASS

Height of plants 

Loading (tons/ac) ) 3 ft tall > 3 ft tall All 

Live: Foliage & ) 0.25 in 0.16 0.00 0.16 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.04 0.00 0.04 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.20 0.00 0.20 

Dead: ) 0.25 in 0.01 0.00 0.01 

 0.26 - 1.0 in <0.01 0.00 <0.01 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

 Subtotal 0.01 0.00 0.01 

All: ) 0.25 in 0.17 0.00 0.17 

 0.26 - 1.0 in 0.04 0.00 0.04 

 > 1.0 in 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Grand total 0.21 0.00 0.21 

FOREST FLOOR

Depth (in) Loading (tons/ac) Constancy (%) 

Litter 0.7 2.42 100 

Duff 0.7 4.55 92 

Total 1.3 6.97 100 

SAPLINGS AND TREES

Size class (diameter at breast height) 

Saplings () 4 in) 4 - 9 in 9 - 16 in > 16 in > 4 in 

Most common species 

(percentage of stems) 

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Pinus

ponderosa (100) -- Pinus

ponderosa (100)

Second most common 

species (percentage of stems) -- -- -- -- -- 

Tree density (stems/ac) 130 332 14 0 346

 Live 108 325 14 0 339

 Dead 22 7 0 0 7

Avg d.b.h. (in) 3.1 6.9 12.0 -- 7.1

 Live 3.1 6.9 12.0 -- 7.1

 Dead 2.6 4.4 -- -- 4.4

Avg height (ft) 12.7 26.7 34.5 -- 27.0

 Live 13.3 27.0 34.5 -- 27.3

 Dead 9.7 13.0 -- -- 13.0

Avg height to crown base (ft) 4.6 6.5 7.5 -- 6.5

 Live 4.7 6.5 7.5 -- 6.6

 Dead 4.3 6.0 -- -- 6.0

Avg height to live crown (ft) 6.9 13.8 18.0 -- 14.0

Live crown mass (tons/ac) 0.79 12.12 1.68 0.00 13.80 
Ottmar, Roger D.; Vihnanek, Robert E.; Wright, Clinton S. 2007. Stereo photo series for 

quantifying natural fuels. Volume X: sagebrush with grass and ponderosa pine-juniper types in central 

Montana. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-719. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 59 p. 

Two series of single and stereo photographs display a range of natural conditions and fuel loadings in 

sagebrush with grass and ponderosa pine-juniper types in central Montana. Each group of photos 

includes inventory information summarizing vegetation composition, structure, and loading; woody 

material loading by size class; forest floor depth and loading; and various site characteristics. The 

natural fuels photo series is designed to help land managers appraise fuel and vegetation conditions in 

natural settings. 

Keywords: Woody material, biomass, fuel loading, natural fuels, Missouri Breaks, mixed-conifer, 

ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, creeping juniper, Juniperus horizontalis, Rocky Mountain juniper, 

Juniperus scopulorum, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, mountain big sagebrush, Artemisia

tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Wyoming big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis.